Footrest

ABSTRACT

A footrest including an attachment member configured to drape over a head rest of a seat. The footrest includes a band configured to rest on a top portion of a head rest and a flap coupled to the band and configured to drape over a back side of a head rest. The footrest includes a pair of support members, each coupled to opposite ends of the attachment member and configured to dangle down from the attachment member. The pair of support members each include an adjustment device configured to adjust the length of each support member. The footrest includes a foot support coupled to each pair of support members and configured to support feet. The foot support includes a rigid member disposed within the foot support configured to support feet.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to foot support structures, specificallyto a footrest configured to support feet.

2. Description of the Related Art

Posture has a profound impact on health and comfort. While standingposture is often considered to be very important, health experts notethat sitting posture is at least as important and perhaps moreimportant, considering the sedentary modern lifestyle. Many of ourcritical activities take place while sitting: eating, working,traveling, and etc.

A footrest is a device configured to support a person's foot while theyare sitting. The footrest facilitates appropriate sitting posture andprovides comfort, especially where a chair or seat may be sizedinappropriately for the occupant. Footrests may rest on the floor, as afootstool is, or may be attached to another support, such as an armmember extending from the chair itself in a location that permitsplacement of a foot or feet on the surface thereof.

Some improvements have been made in the field. Examples of referencesrelated to the present invention are described below in their own words,and the supporting teachings of each reference are incorporated byreference herein:

U.S. Pat. No. 7,322,655, issued to Williams et al., discloses a footrestcomprising a sling having two ends and a strap connected to each end ofthe sling. A user in a seat rests a foot in the sling where the strapsof the sling are attached around an object in front of the seat.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,803,539, issued to Dewar et al., discloses an auto seatcover (14 or 16) comprising a cover portion (18 or 20) having first andsecond ends interconnected by side edges with an end portion (22 or 24)extending about the first end and first (26 or 28) and second (30 or 32)side portions extending along the side edges of the cover portion (18 or20). A strap means interconnects the second end of the cover portion (18or 20) and the side portions (26 or 28, 30 or 32) for retaining the seatcover (14 or 16) in place on an auto seat. The strap means ischaracterized by the combination of a buckle strap (34) and a buckle(36) attached to the buckle strap (34), a lap strap (38) having a freeend (40) for threading through the buckle (36) and a working length (42)extending to the buckle (36) for tightening whereby the buckle strap(34) and the working length (42) of the lap strap (38) may be placed intension to retain the seat cover (14 or 16) on the auto seat, and pilefastening structure (44) for securing the free end (40) of the lap strap(38) to the working length (42) of the lap strap (38).

U.S. Pat. No. 5,234,252, issued to Wallach, discloses an adjustable seatcover (10) for a vehicular bucket seat. The seat cover (10) comprises abackrest envelope (12) for covering a seat backrest (18) including anelastic section (42) for allowing the backrest envelope (12) to conformto seats of varying size. A seat bottom envelope (64) for covering aseat bottom (56) is attached to the backrest envelope (12) and includeselastic retaining bands (82) to create a snug fit across the seat bottom(56). Adjustment straps (46) are attached to the backrest envelope (12)and securely tighten the backrest envelope (12) around the headrest (28)and other areas of sharply varying width contour in the backrest (18).The adjustment straps (46) are adjustably connected together with hookand loop retainers (52) attached to the adjustment straps (46).

U.S. Pat. No. 4,320,922, issued to Meritis, discloses a seat cover thatcan be stored when not in use or when not needed without the complicatedprocess of totally removing it from the seat. The invention consists ofa rollable seat cover that will self-wind when activated. The seat coveris fitted into and stores within the head rest on the seat. The seatcover also crosses over and covers the head rest as well.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,988,773, issued to McMakin, discloses a foot support foruse with a child's restraining seat and having a mounting positioned atthe forward end of the seat and operable to adjust the height andangularity of the foot support with respect to the seat such as toafford comfort to the infant regardless of its leg size.

The inventions heretofore known suffer from a number of disadvantageswhich include being limited in use, being limited in application, beingexpensive, being bulky, being unduly complex, being limited inadaptability, and being cumbersome to use.

What is needed is a footrest that solves one or more of the problemsdescribed herein and/or one or more problems that may come to theattention of one skilled in the art upon becoming familiar with thisspecification.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been developed in response to the presentstate of the art, and in particular, in response to the problems andneeds in the art that have not yet been fully solved by currentlyavailable footrest. Accordingly, the present invention has beendeveloped to provide a convenient and portable footrest.

According to one embodiment of the invention, there is a footrest thatmay include an attachment member configured to drape over a head rest ofa seat. The attachment member may include a band configured to rest on atop portion of a head rest. The attachment member may include a flapcoupled to the band and configured to drape over a back side of a headrest. The flap may include a plurality of pockets configured to storepersonal items. The footrest may include a pair of support members, eachcoupled to opposite ends of the attachment member and configured todangle down from the attachment member. The pair of support members mayeach include an adjustment device configured to adjust the length ofeach support member. The pair of support members may be disposedsubstantially perpendicular to the attachment member and the footsupport.

The adjustment device may include an adjustment strap configured toselectably adjust the length of the support member. The adjustment strapmay include a receiving member configured to receive a coupling member.The adjustment strap may include an adjust member coupled to thecoupling member and configured to selectably adjust the length of thesupport member. The adjustment device may include a first attachmentmember disposed on a top portion of the support member and a secondattachment member disposed on a bottom portion of the support member.The first attachment member and the second attachment member may becoupled together to selectably adjust the length of the support member.The footrest may include a foot support coupled to each pair of supportmembers and configured to support feet. The foot support may furtherinclude a rigid member disposed within the foot support configured tosupport feet. The foot support may further includes a flexible tubularmember disposed within the foot support configured to support feet.

Reference throughout this specification to features, advantages, orsimilar language does not imply that all of the features and advantagesthat may be realized with the present invention should be or are in anysingle embodiment of the invention. Rather, language referring to thefeatures and advantages is understood to mean that a specific feature,advantage, or characteristic described in connection with an embodimentis included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus,discussion of the features and advantages, and similar language,throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, refer to thesame embodiment.

Furthermore, the described features, advantages, and characteristics ofthe invention may be combined in any suitable manner in one or moreembodiments. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize that theinvention can be practiced without one or more of the specific featuresor advantages of a particular embodiment. In other instances, additionalfeatures and advantages may be recognized in certain embodiments thatmay not be present in all embodiments of the invention.

These features and advantages of the present invention will become morefully apparent from the following description and appended claims, ormay be learned by the practice of the invention as set forthhereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order for the advantages of the invention to be readily understood, amore particular description of the invention briefly described abovewill be rendered by reference to specific embodiments that areillustrated in the appended drawing(s). It is noted that the drawings ofthe invention are not to scale. The drawings are mere schematicsrepresentations, not intended to portray specific parameters of theinvention. Understanding that these drawing(s) depict only typicalembodiments of the invention and are not, therefore, to be considered tobe limiting its scope, the invention will be described and explainedwith additional specificity and detail through the use of theaccompanying drawing(s), in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a footrest, according to one embodimentof the invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a footrest disposed over the back of aseat, according to one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an adjustment device of a footrest,according to one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an attachment member of a footrest,according to one embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a foot support of a footrest,according to one embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of theinvention, reference will now be made to the exemplary embodimentsillustrated in the drawing(s), and specific language will be used todescribe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitationof the scope of the invention is thereby intended. Any alterations andfurther modifications of the inventive features illustrated herein, andany additional applications of the principles of the invention asillustrated herein, which would occur to one skilled in the relevant artand having possession of this disclosure, are to be considered withinthe scope of the invention.

Reference throughout this specification to an “embodiment,” an “example”or similar language means that a particular feature, structure,characteristic, or combinations thereof described in connection with theembodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the presentinvention. Thus, appearances of the phrases an “embodiment,” an“example,” and similar language throughout this specification may, butdo not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment, to differentembodiments, or to one or more of the figures. Additionally, referenceto the wording “embodiment,” “example” or the like, for two or morefeatures, elements, etc. does not mean that the features are necessarilyrelated, dissimilar, the same, etc.

Each statement of an embodiment, or example, is to be consideredindependent of any other statement of an embodiment despite any use ofsimilar or identical language characterizing each embodiment. Therefore,where one embodiment is identified as “another embodiment,” theidentified embodiment is independent of any other embodimentscharacterized by the language “another embodiment.” The features,functions, and the like described herein are considered to be able to becombined in whole or in part one with another as the claims and/or artmay direct, either directly or indirectly, implicitly or explicitly.

As used herein, “comprising,” “including,” “containing,” “is,” “are,”“characterized by,” and grammatical equivalents thereof are inclusive oropen-ended terms that do not exclude additional unrecited elements ormethod steps. “Comprising” is to be interpreted as including the morerestrictive terms “consisting of” and “consisting essentially of.”

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a footrest, according to one embodimentof the invention. There is shown a footrest 10 including an attachmentmember 12. The illustrated footrest 10 includes a pair of supportmembers 18 and a foot support 22.

The attachment member 12 includes a band 14 configured to rest on a topportion of a head rest. The band 14 includes a surface area, largeenough, to rest on a top portion of the head rest. The attachment member12 includes a flap 16 coupled to the band 14. The flap 16 extends downfrom the band 14 and is configured to drape off a back side of a headrest. The band 14 and flap 16 may be woven together or may be a singlestructure. The band 14 may include a pad member configured to provideadditional support to the band 14 during use. The band 14 may alsoinclude a friction enhancing bottom surface configured to providegreater surface contact to a head rest. The band 14 and the flap 16 mayinclude a plurality of layers or a single layer of material/fabric.

The pair of support members 18, each coupled to opposite ends of theattachment member 12 and configured to dangle down therefrom. The pairof support members 18 each include an adjustment device 20 configured toadjust the length of each support member 18. As illustrated in FIG. 1,the pair of support members 18 include a single strip of fabric danglingfrom the band 14. The pair of support members 18 may include a pluralityof fabric strips or may include a webbing material or any type ofsupport structure to suspend the foot support 22, therefrom. The supportmembers 18 may include a plurality of pockets configured to providestorage area for the footrest 10.

The adjustment device 20 is disposed on an exterior side of each supportmember 18. The adjustment device 20 is configured to extend or retractthe fabric material of each support member 18 to a desired length. Eachsupport member 18 may be woven together with the attachment member 12 orthe attachment member 12 and the pair of support members 18 may be asingle structure. The adjustment device 20 may be disposed along aninterior side on each support member 18 and still perform its intendedfunction. Non-limiting examples of an adjustment device may be: acoupling member and a receiving member, Velcro straps, hook and loopadjustment devices, clip-on adjustment devices, snap-on adjustmentdevices, tied-on adjustment devices, fastening adjustment devices,magnetic adjustment devices, etc.

The foot support 22 is coupled to each support member 18 and isconfigured to support feet. The foot support is disposed parallel to theattachment member 12. The foot support 22 provides a rigid supportstructure to support feet thereon. The foot support 22 may include acushion member disposed on a top surface of the foot support 22 toprovide padding for the heels of feet to rest thereon. The foot support22 may include a plurality of layers woven together or may include arigid material disposed within the foot support 22 along with aplurality of layers to provide a stable support for feet.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a footrest, according to one embodimentof the invention. There is shown a footrest 10 that includes anattachment member 12, a pair of support members 18, and a foot support22.

The attachment member 12 is configured to drape over a head rest 40 of aseat 42. The attachment member 12 includes a band 14 configured to reston a top portion of a head rest 40. The attachment member 12 includes aflap 16 coupled to the band 14 and configured to drape over a back sideof a head rest 40. The flap 16 includes a plurality of pockets 24configured to store personal items. The plurality of pockets 24 mayinclude a transparent window to view items disposed within each pocket24. The friction from the band 14 and the flap 16 draped over the backside of the head rest 40 secure the attachment member 12 to the headrest 40.

The footrest 10 includes a pair of support members 18, each coupled toopposite ends of the attachment member 12 and configured to dangle downfrom the attachment member 12. The pair of support member 18 are incontact with both sides of the seat 42, thereby stabilizing the footrest10 thereon. The pair of support members 18 each include an adjustmentdevice 20 configured to adjust the length of each support member 18. Thefootrest 10 includes a foot support 22 coupled to each pair of supportmembers 18 and configured to support feet. The pair of support members18 are disposed substantially perpendicular to the attachment member 12and the foot support 22. The footrest 10 includes a coupling device 50coupled to the flap 16 and configured to couple around the footrest 10in a closed/storing mode. In a closed mode the foot support 22, the pairof support members 18, and the attachment member 12 may be rolled up andsecured by the coupling device 50.

In operation of one embodiment of the invention, there is a footrest 10in a closed mode. In a closed mode, the footrest 10 is secured by acoupling device 50, as the supporting members 18 and the foot support 22are wrapped about the attachment member 12. The user may remove theattachment member 12, support members 18, and the foot support 22 fromthe coupling device 50. The user may rest the band 14 of the attachmentmember 12 on a top surface or portion of a head rest 40 of a seat 42 infront of the user's seat. The user may rest their feet on the footsupport 22 as the attachment member 12 and support members 18 supportthe foot support 22 when in use. The user may adjust each adjustmentdevice 20 of each supporting member 18 to adjust the length of eachsupporting member 18 dangling from the attachment device 12. The usermay also store personal items within the pockets 24 of the flap 16.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an adjustment device of a footrest,according to one embodiment of the invention. There is shown a pair ofsupport members 18 of a footrest. Each support member 18 includes anadjustment device 20 configured to adjust the length of each supportmember 18. The adjustment device 20 includes an adjustment strap 32configured to selectably adjust the length of the support member 18. Theadjustment strap 32 includes a receiving member 28 configured to receivea coupling member 30. The adjustment strap 32 includes an adjustmentmember 26 coupled to the coupling member 30 and configured to selectablyadjust the length of the support member 18. The adjustment device 20includes a first attachment member 34 disposed on a top portion 54 ofthe support member 18 and a second attachment member 36 disposed on abottom portion 52 of the support member 18. The first attachment member34 and the second attachment member 36 are coupled together toselectably adjust the length of the support member 18.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an attachment member of a footrest,according to one embodiment of the invention. There is shown anattachment member 12, of a footrest, configured to drape over a headrest of a seat. The attachment member 12 includes a band 14 configuredto rest on a top portion of a head rest. The attachment member 12includes a flap 16 coupled to the band 14 and configured to drape over aback side of a head rest. The flap 16 include a plurality of pockets 24configured to store personal items. The foot rest includes a couplingdevice 50 coupled to the flap 16 and configured to couple around thefootrest in a closed/storing mode. The flap 16 may include pockets 24 ofvarying sizes and shapes to store items. The flap 16 may include a drinkholder configured to secure a drinking cup/can thereto.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a foot support of a footrest,according to one embodiment of the invention. There is shown a pair ofsupport members 18 and a foot support 22 of a footrest. The supportmembers 18 are each coupled to opposite ends of a foot support 22. Thefoot support 22 is configured to support feet in an elevated position.The foot support 22 includes a rigid member 40 disposed within the footsupport 22. The foot support 22 further includes a flexible tubularmember 42 disposed within the foot support to provide additional footsupport. The flexible tubular member 42 is disposed around the rigidmember 42 to provide a comfortable foot support for feet. As illustratedin FIG. 5, the support members 18 include a double layer of fabric, oneskilled in the art would appreciate that the support members may includea plurality of layers or may include a single layer of fabric and stillperform its intended function. In addition, the figure illustrates afoot support 22 including a rigid member 40 and a flexible tubularmember 42 encased with a layer of fabric, one skilled in the art wouldappreciate that the foot support 22 may include all, some, or one of theelements described above and still perform its intended function.

Furthermore, during operation the foot support 22 may be disposed withina compartment of the seat in front of the user. A non-limiting exampleof a compartment may be the flexible magazine compartment disposed onthe back of a commercial airline seat. The user may dispose the footsupport, of the footrest, within the compartment, thereby removing thefoot support out of the way when not in use. Moreover, the design of thefootrest provides blood circulating properties, wherein elevating thefeet during extended periods of travel reduces the pressure on the feet,thereby resting the feet on the foot support 22 reduces swelling duringtravel.

It is understood that the above-described embodiments are onlyillustrative of the application of the principles of the presentinvention. The present invention may be embodied in other specific formswithout departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. Thedescribed embodiment is to be considered in all respects only asillustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is,therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoingdescription. All changes which come within the meaning and range ofequivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.

For example, although the figures illustrate a flap including aplurality of pockets, one skilled in the art would appreciate that theflap may include a transparent window disposed on the flap configured toenable a user to view the rear of the head rest, and still perform itsintended function.

Additionally, although the figures illustrate a flap with a plurality ofpockets, one skilled in the art would appreciate that the flap mayinclude a mirror disposed on the flap configured to be used by a userand still perform its intended function.

It is envisioned that the flap may include a plurality of couplingmembers configured to selectably couple to personal items; non-limitingexamples of a coupling member may be: a cup holder, a clip couplingdevice, a hook coupling device, a grasping device, a snap couplingdevice, a Velcro coupling device, a hook and loop coupling device, etcand still perform its intended function.

It is expected that there could be numerous variations of the design ofthis invention. An example is that the attachment member, supportingmembers, footrest may vary in size, shape, design, configuration, color,length, width, height, and still perform its intended function.

Finally, it is envisioned that the components of the device may beconstructed of a variety of materials, such as but not limited to:fabric, textiles, fibers, cloth, woven materials, plastic, plasticcomposite, metals, metal alloys, rubber, rubber composites, glass, etc.and still perform its intended function.

Thus, while the present invention has been fully described above withparticularity and detail in connection with what is presently deemed tobe the most practical and preferred embodiment of the invention, it willbe apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that numerousmodifications, including, but not limited to, variations in size,materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly anduse may be made, without departing from the principles and concepts ofthe invention as set forth in the claims. Further, it is contemplatedthat an embodiment may be limited to consist of or to consistessentially of one or more of the features, functions, structures,methods described herein.

1. A footrest, comprising: a) an attachment member configured to drapeover a head rest of a seat, comprising: a1) a band configured to rest ona top portion of a head rest; and a2) a flap coupled to the band andconfigured to drape over a back side of a head rest; b) a pair ofsupport members, each coupled to opposite ends of the attachment memberand configured to dangle down from the attachment member; wherein thepair of support members each include an adjustment device configured toadjust the length of each associated support member; and c) a footsupport coupled to each pair of support members and configured tosupport feet.
 2. The footrest of claim 1, wherein the adjustment deviceincludes an adjustment strap configured to selectably adjust the lengthof the support member.
 3. The footrest of claim 2, wherein theadjustment strap includes a receiving member configured to receive acoupling member.
 4. The footrest of claim 3, wherein the adjustmentstrap includes an adjust member coupled to the coupling member andconfigured to selectably adjust the length of the support member.
 5. Thefootrest of claim 1, wherein the flap includes a plurality of pocketsconfigured to store personal items.
 6. The footrest of claim 1, whereinthe foot support further includes a rigid member disposed within thefoot support configured to support feet.
 7. The footrest of claim 1,wherein the pair of support members are disposed substantiallyperpendicular to the attachment member and the foot support.
 8. Thefootrest of claim 1, wherein the foot support further includes aflexible tubular member disposed within the foot support configured tosupport feet.
 9. The footrest of claim 1, wherein the adjustment deviceincludes a first attachment member disposed on a top portion of thesupport member and a second attachment member disposed on a bottomportion of the support member; wherein the first attachment member andthe second attachment member is coupled together to selectably adjustthe length of the support member.
 10. The footrest of claim 1 furthercomprising a coupling device coupled to the flap and configured tocouple around the footrest in a closed mode.
 11. A footrest, comprising:a) an attachment member configured to drape over a head rest of a seat,comprising: a1) a band configured to rest on a top portion of a headrest; and a2) a flap coupled to the band and configured to drape over aback side of a head rest; b) a pair of support members, each coupled toopposite ends of the attachment member and configured to dangle downfrom the attachment member; wherein the pair of support members eachinclude an adjustment device configured to adjust the length of eachassociated support member; wherein the adjustment device includes anadjustment strap configured to selectably adjust the length of thesupport member; and c) a foot support coupled to each pair of supportmembers and configured to support feet.
 12. The footrest of claim 11,wherein the adjustment strap includes a receiving member configured toreceive a coupling member.
 13. The footrest of claim 12, wherein theadjustment strap includes an adjust member coupled to the couplingmember and configured to selectably adjust the length of the supportmember.
 14. The footrest of claim 13, wherein the flap includes aplurality of pockets configured to store personal items.
 15. Thefootrest of claim 14, wherein the foot support further includes a rigidmember disposed within the foot support configured to support feet. 16.The footrest of claim 15, wherein the pair of support members aredisposed substantially perpendicular to the attachment member and thefoot support.
 17. The footrest of claim 16, wherein the foot supportfurther includes a flexible tubular member disposed within the footsupport configured to support feet.
 18. The footrest of claim 17,wherein the adjustment device includes a first attachment memberdisposed on a top portion of the support member and a second attachmentmember disposed on a bottom portion of the support member; wherein thefirst attachment member and the second attachment member is coupledtogether to selectably adjust the length of the support member.
 19. Thefootrest of claim 1 further comprising a coupling device coupled to theflap and configured to couple around the footrest in a closed mode. 20.A footrest, comprising: a) an attachment member configured to drape overa head rest of a seat, comprising: a1) a band configured to rest on atop portion of a head rest; and a2) a flap coupled to the band andconfigured to drape over a back side of a head rest; wherein the flapincludes a plurality of pockets configured to store personal items; b) apair of support members, each coupled to opposite ends of the attachmentmember and configured to dangle down from the attachment member; whereinthe pair of support members each include an adjustment device configuredto adjust the length of each associated support member; wherein theadjustment device includes an adjustment strap configured to selectablyadjust the length of the support member; wherein the adjustment strapincludes a receiving member configured to receive a coupling member;wherein the adjustment strap includes an adjust member coupled to thecoupling member and configured to selectably adjust the length of thesupport member; wherein the adjustment device includes a firstattachment member disposed on a top portion of the support member and asecond attachment member disposed on a bottom portion of the supportmember; wherein the first attachment member and the second attachmentmember is coupled together to selectably adjust the length of thesupport member; c) a foot support coupled to each pair of supportmembers and configured to support feet; wherein the foot supportincludes a rigid member disposed within the foot support configured tosupport feet; wherein the pair of support members are disposedsubstantially perpendicular to the attachment member and the footsupport; wherein the foot support further includes a flexible tubularmember disposed within the foot support configured to support feet; andd) a coupling device coupled to the flap and configured to couple aroundthe footrest in a closed mode.